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Mussolini’s March on Rome
Mussolini’s March on Rome was a monumental point in time. This marks when Benito Mussolini came to power in Italy. This meant the start of a new dictator and form of government. This new government was called Fascism. This was bad news for anyone that was supportive of Socialism and Liberalism. Mussolini's government would soon become ruthless and powerful. -
Stalin becomes dictator of USSR
In 1924 Joseph Stalin became the "premier" or prime minister of the Soviet Union. He did so due to the death of Vladmir Lenin. Lenin's successor was Stalin hence why Stalin became of power. Stalin went for a more aggressive approach to industrialization and that led to major changes within the USSR. This event was significant because it marked a huge turning point within the Soviet Union. -
Hitler writes Mein Kampf
On July 18th, 1925, Hitler publishes his book called Mein Kampf. This book discusses Hitler's ideology and plans for Germany. The focus of the book was antisemitism. This means the hatred of Jews. Hitler wrote this entire book while in prison. He was imprisoned after a failed coup in 1923. This book is significant because it shows Hitler's plans and expresses his hatred for the Jewish people in great detail. -
1st “Five Year Plan” in USSR
The 1st “five year plan” in the USSR was created for one purpose. To initiate rapid and large-scale industrialization across the USSR. It's goal was to improve the Russian economy. A key thing to note is that the second "five year plan" carried on the goals and ideas of the first. -
Japan invades Manchuria
This was a conflict between two countries in Asia. Japan and China. Japan invaded China in search of raw materials and resources. This was important because it deepened the dislike between China and Japan. -
Holodomor
Holodomor was a tragic event that occured in Ukraine. This was when millions of Ukrainian people were starved to death due to the Soviet Union policies. The Ukrainian people would be forced to starve if they chose to resist any form of USSR policies. This was significant because it marks the first time in history that a genocide was methodically planned out and executed. -
Hitler Appointed Chancellor of Germany
Hitler became Chancellor of Germany after the German president, Paul von Hindenburg appointed him. This was a tremendous turning point because this begins the reign of the Nazi Party. He was appointed after the president saw the book Hitler had written and how it bashes the Treaty of Versailles. This was significant because this marks the beginning of Hitler's reign and rise for power. -
“Night of the Long Knives” in Germany
This event was when Hitler ordered his SS to go and murder those of the SA, including Ernst Röhm. He did this because he saw the SA as a threat to the Nazi Party. The night that this all occurred, Hitler also murdered hundreds of other people he saw as threats. This was significant because it established Hitler as supreme administrator of justice of the German people. -
Italian Invasion of Ethiopia
The Italian invasion of Ethiopia was one of the battles that paved the way to WWII. It was caused after a border incident which gave Mussolini and excuse to intervene. This battle resulted in Ethiopia subjecting to Italy. It was significant because as already mentioned, it paved the way to WWII. -
Nuremberg Laws Enacted
The Nuremberg Laws were laws that related to the race of the people. The laws were the Reich Citizenship Law and the Law for the Protection of German Blood. The first one was created to promise that if Germany came to power, only racially pure Germans could be citizens. The second part was made to "protect" the Germans from any other race. It forbade the marriage of any German to a Jew. These laws were important because it once again strengthens Germany's hatred toward the Jews. -
The Great Purge and Gulags
The Great Purge was an event in history that established Stalin's power. The main purpose of these was to eliminate any and all who oppose Stalin. He would rule with ruthlessness and kill anyone who denied him or his rules. One key thing to mention is the goal of fully removing those that had influence from Leon Trotsky. -
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish civil war was a revolt from the military of Spain against their Republican government. The Nationalists were given help via the Nazis and Italians. This war was significant because it was a basic foreshadowing of what was soon to come, WWII. -
The Rape of Nanking
This was a tragic and cruel point of history. The Nanking Massacre occurred in December of 1937. This was when Japan invaded China. The Japanese soldiers would do harsh and cruel things to the civilians of China. These include rape, murder, looting, and arson. There were over 300,000 Chinese people that died during this event. It was significant because it leads to a deep mistrust and disgruntle towards Japan from China. -
Kristallnacht
Also known as "The Night Of Broken Glass," Kristallnacht was a terrible event. This was when Nazi leaders sent out a wave of pogroms against the Jews. It is known as the night of broken glass because the streets were covered in shattered glass from the Jewish owned buildings. This was a significant even because it made Jewish survival in Germany impossible. -
Nazi Germany invades Poland
Nazi Germany invading Poland was a tragic and awful event in history. The Nazi's way to justify the invasion was to have propaganda put out about the Poland people executing German residents. This is significant because it was what triggered WWII and started the big debacle. -
Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor
On December 7th, 1941, Japan bombs Pearl Harbor. This was done via Japanese planes dropping said bombs from the sky. This was a very big turning point in WWII because this is what led the Americans to join the war and fight.